The BMW i3 is the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system. The result is a vehicle that embodies BMW’s commitment to driving pleasure without compromise. Since the launch in November 2013 the BMW i3 has gone from strength to strength winning various accolades including UK Car of the year 2014 and Green Car of the Year by WhatCar? Now, the success story is set to continue with the introduction of the 94Ah battery on both the BMW i3 and the BMW i3 Range Extender models.
The BMW i3 94Ah replaces the current 60Ah model and has a capacity of 33kWh thanks to the higher storage density of the lithium ion cells. The battery dimensions remain unchanged with more than a 50 per cent range increase in the standard NEDC cycle. This equals a range of 195 miles in everyday driving. The motor propels the BMW i3 from zero to 62mph in just 7.3 seconds (BEV) making the BMW i3 both the sportiest and most efficient electric vehicle in its segment.
The high-voltage battery in the BMW i3 consists of eight modules (each with 12 individual cells), and its capacity has increased significantly without any changes in structure or exterior dimensions. By optimising the cell-internal packages with more electrolyte and adapting the active material, BMW has succeeded in increasing cell capacity to 94Ah and overall battery energy to 33kWh.
The range of the new BMW i3 94Ah (BEV) in everyday use, on a full battery charge with the air conditioning or the heating on has been significantly increased to 195 miles. This is achieved with no subjective loss of driving performance and agility. BMW i models strike the ideal balance between efficiency, performance and range. From standstill to country-road speeds, the BMW i3 94Ah is on par with sporty, conventionally combustion engine powered cars.
The lithium-ion cells used in the battery are particularly notable for their high energy density and impressive cycle life: they are designed to perform their energy storage function over the vehicle’s entire lifespan.
The coolant of the air conditioning system is responsible for cooling the high-voltage battery very effectively. An optional heating system can also be used to heat the battery to ensure the optimum operating temperature of 20°C before starting off. The battery has been designed to last for the car’s entire service life. Customers receive an 8-year or 100,000 mile warranty on the battery.
The electric drivetrain: Optimised performance delivery, more efficient drive.
The hybrid synchronous electric motor, developed and produced specially for use in the BMW i3, generates an output of 170hp and provides maximum torque of 250Nm from the moment the car pulls away.
Model Price OTR Power Hp
Torque Nm
0 – 62mph
SecondsTop Speed Mph Range (miles) CO2 Emissions
g/kmBMW i3 £27,830** 170 250 7.3 93 195 0 BMW i3 Range Extender £30,980** 170 250 8.1 93 276 12 **With £4,500 OLEV Government grant.
Thanks to an average power consumption of 12.6kWh/100m (in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) for the BMW i3 and 11.3kWh/100km for the BMW i3 Range Extender, the efficiency of the motor plays a key role in optimising the car’s range. The BMW i3 is thus the most economical electrically powered car of its size and output class
